Where to go for kid-approved day trips in Ontario

Now that the spring thaw has officially started, we’re all collectively anticipating more outdoor fun — especially those of us with kids eager for a change of scenery. While many sports, extracurricular activities and traditional tourist sites remain on hold or off limits for now, we can still plan ahead for future family weekenders.

When it’s safe to freely explore again, here are four kid-friendly spots in and around the GTA — all road-trippable and approved by my own brood over the past few years. (Both regional travel guidelines and access to specific places can change quickly; always check official updates before you go.)

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg

When there’s no traffic, getting from some parts of downtown Toronto to the McMichael can take less than 30 minutes. The gallery’s permanent collection (temporarily closed) features thousands of artworks by Indigenous and Canadian artists, including many colourful Group of Seven landscapes.

Beyond the art, my family has enjoyed exploring the McMichael’s spacious grounds — the gallery is set on 100 forested acres — in pleasant weather. You’ll find picnic areas, easy nature trails, and a sculpture garden with nine bronze works by Canadian artist Ivan Eyre.

Prince Edward County

If you don’t mind the drive (two hours from Toronto’s east end), the county makes for a lovely day trip, especially in the summer when the sun sets late. During lavender season — July is ideal for the bloom — we’ll stop by Prince Edward County Lavender for photos and ice cream. And just a little further down Closson Road, Shed Chetwyn Farms (opening late May) has adorable alpacas on-site and a shop that sells yarn and other wool and knit goods.

When it comes to PEC beaches, Sandbanks Provincial Park is beautiful and family-friendly. But North Beach Provincial Park is much more conveniently located for day trippers from Toronto (plus, summer parking spots aren’t snapped up as quickly).

Mountsberg, Campbellville

One of seven Conservation Halton parks, Mountsberg offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels that loop through wetlands, a sugar bush, forests and fields. The 1.6-kilometre Wildlife Walkway is very flat and wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

What my kids love the most, though, is walking through Mountsberg’s Raptor Centre trail, where we can see birds of prey like owls and eagles in their individual enclosures and read about each raptor’s life story. Afterwards, if you time your visit right, you can also see the park’s resident farm animals in their outdoor enclosures. Reservations at parkvisit.ca are required.

Andrews Farm Market & Winery, Milton

There are many family-friendly pick-your-own spots in and near the GTA, but one of our go-tos is Andrews Farm (opening May). Their pick-your-own season starts with asparagus and rhubarb in May, and continues with strawberries in June and other berries throughout summer (see the official site for a schedule). PYO dahlias and sunflowers are also available. For kids, there are farm animals like pygmy goats and “cooney” (Kunekune) pigs to visit, straw bales to climb on, and delicious soft-serve yogurt or ice cream for the ride home.

Near the farm, if you’re looking to extend the day, there are a number of popular conservation areas for hiking and nature walks. The stunning, surreal landscape of the Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon is also less than 30 minutes away.

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.